From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Letter from The Light Production Co. Ltd. regarding the 'Ferrox' treatment for piston rings.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\3\ scan0411 | |
| Date | 11th October 1938 | |
| 1256 TELEPHONE: VICTORIA 0671 (5 LINES). CODES: A.B.C. 5TH EDITION. ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO BE ADDRESSED TO THE COMPANY. ON ADMIRALTY, WAR OFFICE AND AIR MINISTRY LISTS. THE LIGHT PRODUCTION CO.LTD PROPRIETORS OF THE LONDON PISTON RING CO. LIMITED. CHAIRMAN & MANAGING DIRECTOR: M.V. ROBERTS. DIRECTORS: E.G. DAVIES. WM. THIRTLE. ENGINEERS TELEGRAMS: INLAND: SOWEST, LONDON. FOREIGN: NAPOLEONIC, LONDON. 60/66, ROCHESTER ROW, WESTMINSTER, S.W.1 WORKS AND GOODS ADDRESS: 61/67, GREENCOAT PLACE, WESTMINSTER, S.W.1. OUR REF. CHB/DP YOUR REF. 11th October, 1938. W.A.Rowbotham Esq., Messrs Rolls-Royce Ltd., Experimental Dept., DERBY. File Dear Mr. Rowbotham, Some time ago you expressed an interest in the Ferrox treatment of Piston Rings, and you will remember we had some conversation about it. We have been successful in obtaining some actual samples from America, but we are informed that the process is being operated secretly. The official description of the process is as follows:- "Ferrox treatment is the result of a process which changes the metallurgical structure of the ring by converting the raw cast iron surface into a black magnetic oxide. It is a process in which the surface grain structure is made extremely fine by accurate control, producing actually a mild polishing agent said to be finer than jewellers rouge. Under conditions of metal-to-metal contact frequently encountered in the cylinder these fine particles wear the ring to a perfect seat by polishing rings, piston and cylinder." In this connection Mr. Teetor has stated "there are a lot of things in connection with this development that of course have not been definitely proven, but | ||